Other subjects discussed were security for persons and property and services along the river, both those for shipping companies such as docks and capacity–Passau’s own exemplary solutions to such problems earned high marks–as well as those for cruise passengers. It was suggested that greater consideration be given to the economic benefit of regions through which cruise lines sail, for example by regional products being offered for sale on board.
Another topic examined was dependence on overseas markets and particularly the United States, as well as possible countermeasures. Among the strategies proposed were an increase in marketing directed at European markets and a repositioning to appeal to a younger target group.
Participating in the fifth Danube Shipping Conference were representatives of shipping companies, the cities of Passau, Regensburg, Novi Sad and Belgrade, Main-Danube Canal Shipping Office, Upper Austrian Danube Marketing Association, Institute for the Danube and Central Europe, Danube Commission (Budapest), delegates from the national tourist offices of Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia and Romania, as well as the Danube Tourist Commission as conference organizers, and media representatives. The sixth Shipping Conference will be hosted by the Tourism Organization of Belgrade in the Yugoslav capital in November 2002.
